Rocking figure toy



Jan. 22, 1952 c, REED 2,583,061

ROCKING FIGURE TOY Filed Oct. 3, 1950 flue/$5291 fi/ajard feed QWMfiKM Patented Jan. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROCKING FIGURE TOY Bayard C. Reed, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 3, 1950, Serial No. 188,214

My invention relates to a novelty toy device and has for its object the provision of a toy which may be in the representation of any suitable character or figure and which when moved in a straight line alternately in opposite directions is caused to create the illusion of the toy device alternately reversing positions without actually turning around, thereby providing a high degree of amusement and interest.

Another object of my invention is the provision oi a device of the foregoin character which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and durable in service.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a toy in accord ance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment showing the component parts in separated relation, and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in a different relative position but showing another modified embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, my invention comprises a base or body portion IIl in the form of a channel member open at each end. The bottom II of the base III has a cut-out I2 medially thereof substantially as shown. The side walls I3 and I4 of the base are embossed, symmetrically with respect to the transverse axis of the base I 0, so that the forward and rearward ends of the said walls are exactly alike in appearance. Each of the side Walls I3 and I 4 is perforated as at I5 to receive a chain which serves to pivotally support. a rocking member shown more clearly in Fig. 3 and indicated generally by the numeral I1, the chain also serving as a means by which the device may be carried as a pendant or in any other manner. The said rocking member comprises two heads I B and I 9 oppositely directed andsymmetrically disposed with respect to a transverse bore 2| through which is passed-the chain 20. The lower portion of the rocking member I! is enlarged and is pro vided with an arcuately shaped bearing surface 23 which preferably is serrated or knurled; the radius of curvature of the said arcuate surface having its center at the axis of the transverse bore 2|. As will be apparent, the chain 20 serves as a shaft to pivotally support the member I'I.

As will be seen clearly by reference to Figs. 3

7 Claims. (Cl. 48-147) 2 and 4, the heads I8 and I9 are identical in configuration, each head in this instance being the caricature of a Scotch terrier. Preferably, the heads and I 9 are somewhat grotesquely formed so that certain features thereof may be exaggerated or otherwise altered in order that they may be used advantageously to depict or represent another portion of the body. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the ears I8a of the head I8 in the position, illustrated in Fig. 1, represent the-tail of the object. As will be clearly seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 4, the arcuate surface 23 of the rocking member I! extends below the plane of the bottom I I of the base I0 so that when the device is resting on a supporting surface 25, the surface 23 of the member I! is in direct contact with the supporting surface. The serrations on the arcuate surface 23 enhance'the gripping action between the said surface .and the supporting sur-- face, thereby assuring rocking of the member I! in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the body I0 substantially to the limit of its rotation, so that one head such as I9 is in upright position and the other head I8 is recessed between the walls I3 and I4 substantially as shown in Fig. 1 with only the ears I8a exposed to represent a tail. When the body I0 is shifted in an opposite direction, the rocking member I1 is caused to be rocked so as to present the head I8 for view and the head I9 is then disposed between the side walls of the base member III with only the ears I9a exposed. Thus, it will be apparent that upon reciprocation of the body 10 while it is positioned on a supporting surface,

the device may be made to change directions alternately. It will be apparent that -'the embossings on the side walls of the base ID are of such character as to carry out the caricature or representation of the forward and rearward ends of the animal beingdepicted as in the present embodiment, a Scotch terrier. In the embodiment illustrated in-FigJ 3', th base I0 is provided with inwardly directed stub shafts which are received in the bore 2I of the member I1 and which pivotally support the member IT. The base is otherwise identical with that shown in Fig. 1 and corresponding numerals are employed to indicate corresponding parts.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 a web portion 26 is provided between the heads I8 and I9 of member I1, the said web portion having a perforation to receive: a chain similar to the chain 20 from which the device may be suspended. as in the nature of an ornament worn on a watch or key chain or as a locket worn around the neck. The base is identical with that shown in Fig. 3.

While the toy is shown as in the configuration or representation of a Scotch terrier, it is to be understood that my invention is applicable to other characters and figures.

I claim:

1. A novelty toy device comprising a base member having a bottom and side walls, said bottom having an opening therein substantially intermediate its ends, a rockable member pivotally mounted between said side walls, said rockable member having an arcuate bottom portion projecting through said opening and engageable with a supporting surface, said rockable member bearing two figures arranged substantially. symmetrical relative to the pivotal axis'thereof, said device when shifted in a straight line in alternate directions effecting alternate rocking of said rockable member so as to present alternately one of said figures.

2. A novelty toy device comprising a base member having a bottom and side walls, said bottom having an opening therein substantially intermediate its ends, said side walls having forward and rearward ends symmetrically formed and simulating the body of an animal, a rockable member pivotally mounted between said side walls, said rockable member having an arcuate bottom portion projecting through said opening and engageable with a supporting surfacesaid rockable member bearing two figures-each simulating the head of an animal and arranged substantially symmetrical relative to the pivota1 axis thereof, said heads being complemental in configuration to said side walls, said device when shifted in a straight line in alternate directions effecting alternate rocking of said rockable member so as to present alternately one of said figures.

3. A novelty toy device comprising a base mem ber having a bottom and side walls, said bottom having an opening therein substantially intermediate its ends, a rockable member. pivotally mounted between said side walls, said rockable member having an arcuate bottom portion projecting through said opening and engageable with a supporting surface, said rockable member bearing two figures arranged substantially symmetrical relative to the pivotal axis thereof, said device being adapted for straight linear movement in alternate directions so asto rock said rockable member to present alternately to view one of said figures and thereby to effect alternate reversals in the direction assumed by said device without reversing the postion of said base member. V

4. A novelty toy device comprising a base-member having a bottom and side walls, said bottom having an opening therein substantially intermediate its ends, a rockable member pivotally mounted between said side walls; said rockable member having an arcuate bottom portion pro- Jecting through-said opening and engageable with a supporting surface, said side walls having forward and rearward ends symmetrically formed and simulating the body of an animal, saidrockable member bearing two figures each simulating the head of an animal and arranged substantially symmetrical relative to the pivotal axis thereof,

said heads being complemental in configuration to said side walls, said device being adapted for straight linear movement in alternate directions so as to rock said rockable member to present alternately to view one of said heads and thereby to effect alternate reversals in the direction assumed by said device without reversing the position of said base member.

5. A novelty toy device comprising a base member having a bottom and side walls, said bottom having an opening therein substantially intermediate its ends, a rockable member pivotally mounted between said side walls, said rockable member carrying two indentical figures each simulating the head of an animal with the heads being directed in opposed relation, said rockable member having an arcuate bottom portion projecting through said opening and engageable with-a supporting surface, said side walls having forward and rearward ends symmetrically formed and simulating the body of an animal, said device being adapted for straight linear movement in alternate directions so as to rock said rockable member to present alternately to view one of said heads and thereby to effect alternate reversals in the direction assumed by said device without reversing the position of said base member.

6. A novelty toy device comprising a base member having a bottom and side walls, said bottom having an opening therein substantially intermediate its ends, a rockable member pivotally mounted between said side walls, said rockable member having an arcuate bottom portion projecting through said opening and engageable with a supporting surface, said rockable member bearing two figures arranged-substantially symmetrical relative to the pivotal axis thereof, said device when shifted in a straight line in alternate directions effecting alternate rocking of said rockable member so as to present alternately one of said figures, and thereby to effect alternate reversals inthe direction assumed by the device without reversing the position of said base member.

:7. A novelty toy device comprising a base member having side Walls and means connecting said side walls in spaced relation, a rockable member pivotally mounted between said side walls and having a bottom portion engageable with a supporting surface, said rockable member bearing two figures arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the pivotal axis thereof, said device when shifted in a straight line in alternate directions effecting alternate rocking of said rockable member so as to present alternately one of said figures and thereby to effect alternate reversals in the direction assumed by the device without reversing the position of said base member.

BAYARD C. REED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

